FIRST Access

About FIRST Access

FIRST Access promotes and provides inclusive opportunities in STEM to students with disabilities and special needs and fosters a diverse environment of social inclusion. With FIRST Access, we aim to make FIRST robotics more accessible to the diversity of needs and abilities of all students. FIRST is for everyone!

FIRST Access teams can be either entirely composed of students with special needs and disabilities or can be unified teams composed of equal numbers of students with disabilities/special needs and students without disabilities/special needs – “partners” or “peer mentors” guiding them through activities. 

FIRST Access teams build and program robots to compete in FIRST Tech Challenge or LEGO Robotics competitions. FIRST in Texas offers these options, in addition to traditional FIRST competitions, so that teams can choose a program that best meets the needs of their students.

Continue reading below to find out more information about how to create and register a team and how to participate in our FIRST Access State Event! Teams of high school students are eligible to receive grants for robotics kits, materials, supplies, game sets, and fields through the Texas Workforce Commission – Apply below! Send questions to firstaccess@firstintexas.org.

FIRST Access Competitions

FIRST Tech Challenge

Team Size: Up to 15 students
Grades: 7th – 12th
Adult Support: 2+ Coaches, Industry Mentors
Robotics Equipment: Reusable Kit options
Coding: Java-based programming options
Activities: Design, build, program, & operate robots; create team brand; community outreach; team building and spirit; and more!
Game: Yearly FIRST Tech Challenge game released by FIRST every fall
Competition: Compete in head-to-head format in an alliance on a floor-level playing field
Tournaments: Local (where available) and State events
Optional Season: FIRST Tech Challenge Traditional Season (additional costs)
1st Season Costs: No registration fee, $2,000-$3,000 for kits, materials, travel, etc.

LEGO Robotics

Team Size: 2 to 6 students
Grades: 6th – 12th
Adult Support: 2+ Coaches/Mentors
Robotics Equipment: LEGO Kit options
Coding: Drag-and-drop (Scratch based)
Activities: Design, build, program, & operate robots; create team brand; community outreach; team building and spirit; and more!
Game: Yearly FIRST LEGO Challenge game (potentially modified) & Unified Robotics game
Competition: Compete against your own best scores on a floor-level or table height playing field
Tournaments: Local (where available) and State events
Optional Season: FIRST LEGO League Challenge Traditional Season (additional costs)
1st Season Costs: No registration fee, $500-$1,500 for kits, materials, travel, etc.

Start a FIRST Access Team Today!

Register a Team
Apply for Grants
Sign Up to Compete

FIRST Access State Event

All FIRST Access teams and supporters are invited to participate in the 2024 FIRST Access State Event!

When:

Saturday, June 22nd, 2024

Where:

Morgan’s Wonderland – Event Center
5223 David Edwards Dr
San Antonio, TX 78233

Morgan’s Wonderland is an Ultra-Accessible theme park!

Cost: FREE!

Competition Information:

Training will be available onsite in the morning for teams needing help to create their LEGO robots. We’ll be able to accommodate a small number of “walk-on teams.”

Tentative Schedule:

Teams and volunteers (those not needed to help with tear-down) can continue to enjoy the park after the event ends until close.

All attendees must complete the online FIRST in Texas Consent & Release form.

Sign up to participate as a team or volunteer below!

Sign Up to Compete
Sign Up to Volunteer